Regularly updated blog charting the most important albums of the last 50 years

Sunday, June 24, 2007

299. The Isley Brothers - 3+3 (1973)

Track Listing

1. That Lady2. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight3. If You Were There 4. You Walk Your Way 5. Listen to the Music 6. What It Comes Down To 7. Sunshine (Go Away Today) 8. Summer Breeze 9. Highways of My Life

Review

This is a great album. It is one of the happiest, funnest and better crafted R&B albums of the 70's. It isn't Stevie Wonder, but it also has no pretentions to being Stevie. It is not political or deep in any special way. But it is supremely enjoyable music.

This album is all about the way it sounds, all tracks are beautiful and there are two particular highlights which are just perfect. That Lady has some great guitar to go with a brilliant tune and Summer Breeze is one of the most summery and enjoyable songs that we have had here in a long time. The Isley brothers modernise probably even better than The Temptations did, which is no mean feat and by adding three new members to their band they pull off something amazing.

Nothing could be more contrasting with the two albums which surround it on the list, but it is equally good as any of those two. We are going through a really good patch and the next two albums on the list are also pretty amazing. But honestly this was the discovery of the bunch, as I knew the other albums pretty well. The harmonies are beautiful, the guitars are Hendrix inspired but adding to a general summery feel which is light but exquisite. It is hard to find albums of light and happy music which are also masterpieces and this is a prime example. So get it at Amazon UK or US.Track Highlights

Their first album for the label after several years in Buddah Records, it was also the first time the family group, which had consisted of founding members O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley, included six members instead of the standard three. Although they had performed on Isley Brothers albums since 1969's It's Our Thing, this was the first album where younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and in-law Chris Jasper were now known as Isley Brothers members starting a period where the brothers would only be part of the musical and production department. The success of the album is contributed to their first Top 10 pop record since "It's Your Thing", with their own cover of the self-penned "Who's That Lady", now re-titled "That Lady, Pt. 1 & 2". Other hit singles included the top five R&B single, "What It Comes Down To", and their cover of Seals & Crofts' folk hit, "Summer Breeze", which was also a top ten R&B single. The album became their first platinum album.